Google proclaims new accessibility and productiveness options at MWC

Google introduced a brand new set of options for telephones, automobiles, and wearables at present on the Cellular World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. These options embody utilizing Gemini to craft messages, AI-generated captions for photographs, summarizing texts by means of AI for Android Auto, and entry to passes on Put on OS.

The corporate’s Gemini implementation for image generation is facing a lot of criticism. However that isn’t stopping Google from rolling it out in a distinct context. The corporate mentioned that beginning this week, Google Messages will get a function that permits you to entry Gemini within the app. The function is at the moment in beta and solely helps English.

Google can be rolling out a function for Android Auto that reads out summaries of lengthy textual content messages and contextualizes group chats. The function, first announced last month, additionally dishes out fast ideas for replies.

The search large can be launching just a few accessibility-related options at MWC. First, the corporate’s Lookout app, which helps visually impaired people with things like food labels and documents, will now generate AI-powered captions for photographs which have lacking or inaccurate captions or alt textual content. The function is now rolling out to all customers throughout the globe with assist for English. Final yr, Google up to date the Lookout app with an AI-powered assistant, which allowed customers to ask questions on photographs.

Google can be rolling out improved display screen reader assist for Lens in Maps. Customers can level their telephone’s digital camera round them and TalkBack will learn details about locations and indicators.

On the productiveness entrance, Google is extending assist for handwritten notes to docs on Android telephones or tablets utilizing only a finger or a stylus. You possibly can select from completely different pen kinds and colours to focus on sure factors in a doc.

Moreover, the corporate is launching assist for Spotify by means of an output switcher on the Android dwelling display screen. This implies you’ll be able to resume listening to a track or a podcast from one supply to a different supply with Spotify. Beforehand this function solely supported YouTube Music.

Google can be updating the Fitbit app with assist to get knowledge from completely different sources like AllTrails, Oura Ring, and MyFitnessPal. The corporate redesigned the app with a new three-tabbed layout last year. The At this time tab reveals you knowledge like train, steps, energy burned, and flooring climbed. And the “You” tab reveals you knowledge from completely different apps together with Fitbit’s personal knowledge.

There are just a few Put on OS-related updates as a part of this announcement as nicely. Now you can entry Google Pockets passes like boarding passes, occasion tickets, fitness center memberships, and loyalty playing cards instantly from the watch. Plus, you will get instructions for transit through the use of voice. What’s extra, there’s an choice to mirror instructions from the telephone or get compass-guided navigation instructions.